MHG1426 - Meeting place and market - Spittalhill

Summary

No summary available.

Type and Period (2)

  • MOOT? (Early Medieval to 19th Century - 561 AD? to 1900 AD?)
  • MARKET? (Early Medieval to 19th Century - 561 AD? to 1900 AD?)

Protected Status

  • None recorded

Full Description

Spittal Hill (NAT) OS 6" map, (1971)

Spittal Hill (Spittal was a parish until combined with Halkirk in the 16th century), the highest point in Halkirk parish, was until about 1827 a traditional meeting place. Here was held an annual market named 'the Jamesmas' according to the NSA (1845) and 'Georgemas Fair' according to the ONB (1872). The latter authority, quoting Torfeus, says that a great army led by 'Comes Magbradus' assembled here in the 10th century to attack Liotus, Earl of Orkney, in the moss to the S. (See ND15SE 12 for where the battle is reputed to have taken place.)
NSA 1845; Name Book 1871; 1872; T Torfaeus 1866; H Scott et al 1915-61.

Sources/Archives (4)

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred ND 1676 5561 (40m by 40m) (2 map features)
Map sheet ND15NE
Civil Parish HALKIRK
Geographical Area CAITHNESS

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (0)

External Links (1)

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